Welcome to As One
, a termly celebration of our children’s achievements, and a spotlight on school life.
Throughout this term I have been talking to the children about the difference between being ‘on’ and ‘off’ stage and how, as we get older we become increasingly aware that what is going on behind the scenes, and what the world sees in us, can be very different.
To extend the dramatic metaphor, the ‘show must go on’ and despite the looming General Election and needing to ‘lift the curtain’ on the slightly miserable weather, the children have firmly stepped into centre stage and delivered some amazing performances. Whether it be the record breaking number of scholarships won, fantastic Common Entrance results, Summer Serenade, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, national sporting success, incredible Summer Fête and other fundraising activities, or just the day to day positive and purposeful atmosphere, it has been an amazing few months to be a part of.
Nursery & Pre-Prep
As we approach the end of our final term it seems appropriate to reflect on just how much we have achieved, once again, in the Pre-Prep, and how much we have to be thankful for. I am so incredibly proud of the love, care, learning and laughter I see all around me.
We often talk, in education, about ‘the journey’. It is well understood that our earliest years are the most significant, affecting everything that comes afterwards. Thank you for helping us make this particular journey so specialmay we march together, hand in hand, towards the next term and another fresh and exciting new school year ahead.
Jacqui Freeman HEAD OF PRE-PREP
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Fergus Llewellyn
The tiniest of our children in the Bees have been looking at transport, family, the world around us and of course having plenty of fun with messy play, construction and nursery rhyme themed activities. The Caterpillars’ activities have included fun links to animals around the world, gross motor challenges with Mrs Hicks at PE and plenty of craft and design to adorn the Nursery with a riot of colour. The Butterflies, whilst perfecting skills in readiness for Reception, have enjoyed activities linked to some of our very favourite books such as The Giant Jam Sandwich, Mrs Vicar’s Knickers and Sharing a Shell. Everyone has mastered getting ready for wet play in our red suits, marching into the inclement weather (rain doesn’t stop play here!)…. let’s hope the sun shines soon and we can put our sun hats back on!
Reception have been incredibly busy learning about the wonders of our world. The highlight of the first half term was the arrival and hatching of the duckling eggs. We loved voting on their names, observing them eat, sleep, drink and learn to swim.
The children blew us away with their fact-finding about bees and beanstalks! We blasted off into space for the second half of term and been fascinated by the planets and the solar system. This has given us lots of opportunity to create amazing rockets, artwork and share our facts in beautiful writing. Early in the summer term Reception headed to Paradise Park as part of their topic ‘Our Wonderful World’. We had a fantastic day, learning about different plant species and the conditions they need for successful growth and exploring the Dinosaur Exhibition and Dinosaur Garden. We are well and truly ready for Year 1!
Year 1 have been putting their orienteering skills to the test as they navigated the Cumnor grounds. We also enjoyed a magnificent trip to the British Wildlife Centre, meeting all the animals and learning about their natural habitats and creativity has been high on the agenda as they produced some fabulous self-portraits.
Year 2 have had an exciting time on their African adventure this term. They have learnt about and produced their own mini projects on a variety of African animals and interviewed Mr Llewellyn about life in Kenya. In Art the children have fully embraced the African theme creating beautiful necklaces and largescale African animal heads, encompassing all that we have learnt about African patterns; they are stunning! We were also lucky enough to go to Drusillas to learn about Maasai life and some of the smaller African animals. Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed the trip and made Cumnor proud with their excellent behaviour and manners. What a fun term!
The DT Lab
What an exciting day! Year 6 raced the go-karts brilliantly, honing their driving skills as they competed in the drag race, slalom, chicane sprint, lap of champions and pit-stop challenge. Their team spirit was exceptional!
Life in the Art Barn has been vibrant and creative this term, with a wide array of projects!
Dance
The school was alive with energy as we all gathered to celebrate International Dance Day. Closely followed by our Dance Coffee Concert to a packed theatre, we continue to spread the joy of dance and look forward to it becoming part of the weekly curriculum from September.
Year 3 created mixed media camouflage bug paintings, invented new species, and developed illustrations using squiggles, mystery tours, and stickers. They learned to sculpt clay pinch pots and designed skyscapes inspired by the Sussex ‘Northern Lights.’ Year 4 completed a project inspired by Mark Hearld, creating patterned and textured birds. They also crafted intricate textural backgrounds for mixed media seascapes using collage and recycled materials. Year 5 studied Hundertwasser, creating cities in his style using various media, including permanent pen, brusho inks, acrylic inks, and watercolours. Year 6 explored the work of Parisian animation artist Marine Buffard, recreating her diffused digital effects with hand-held diffusers and spray paint, resulting in impressive, detailed artwork. Year 7 focused on ‘pattern’ as a formal element, studying interlinking patterns, block printing techniques, and elaborate Art Deco and Art Nouveau textile designs from the 1920s and 1930s. And finally, Year 8 worked in small groups on transcription projects, producing a collection of acrylic landscapes as a parting gift to the school.
The highlight of this term was undoubtedly our Year 8 Scholars’ Exhibition. Beautifully curated, the standard and variety of work was breath taking and provided much inspiration for our younger artists who spent their art lessons during the Exhibition sketching from their favourite pieces.
Mrs Pope HEAD OF ART
The Music Barn
Summer is a brilliant term for the Music Department with so many different opportunities on offer! We kicked off the month of May with a fun ‘Moving Up to Year 3’ music workshop with pupils singing and playing percussion together, followed by our Year 4 drama showcase ‘Gobblefunk’. The singing from our Year 4 cohort was outstanding and we had huge fun preparing the children for this performance. What amazing musical talent there is coming up through the school!
To round off the month, our annual Vocal Faculty Concert gave many of our young singers an opportunity to perform solos on stage, in front of a very warm and appreciative audience. It is a daunting thing to do, yet I was so impressed by the how our singing pupils communicated and expressed themselves with confidence.
The highlight was undoubtedly our Summer Serenade - one of two major concert platforms for the school year. A fantastically entertaining evening, it saw performances from all of our school ensembles, as well as a star-studded list of Year 8 soloists playing for their final time at Cumnor. Everyone did incredibly well and I would like to thank the VMTs, as well as the wider prep school staff, for all of their support in making this event the success that it was. It really is a huge team effort on stage and behind the scenes.
Mr Jelf DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
Congratulations to Molly who, having been moved by the presentation from Oscar’s Wish Foundation, committed to run 2 miles every day during May.
Raising over £1,400 Molly showed real determination and even roped in a few friends to keep her motivated! Looking ahead, we wish Beau the best of luck as he embarks on the Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Mountain Rescue for his Year 8 summer project.
Cricket Pavilion
As part of their legacy, our departing Concept Learning Group wanted to complete a renovation project in an area of the school that they felt was important to them and could use some attention. They landed on the Cricket Pavilion; as a group of passionate cricketers, this was a perfect project!
After pitching their project plan, budget and fundraising activities, they set to work with securing investment and repurposing materials. Their vision was for the pavilion to be a designated breakout space for Year 3 and 4 in the winter, decorated with cricket nostalgia and memorabilia. The new pavilion was unveiled at the ‘parent vs student cricket’ match at the beginning of June.
The boys learnt how to work well in a team, trusting in each other and listening to other peoples’ opinions and ideas. They learnt how to pitch and execute a project plan, speak to senior members of staff and how to problem solve. Undertaking this project in their final year at Cumnor has made it even more meaningful.
“ Thank you for organising a lovely afternoon for us at Cumnor. It could not have been more perfect.”
“ I have such happy memories of being at Cumnor and made friends for life there - it was great to see the school again and reconnect with friends I hadn't seen for a while.”
Friends Reunited
This term has seen us host two reunions for our alumni or Old Cumnorians (OCs). The first took place on Saturday 18th May for Old Cumnorians who left the school between 1986 and 2000. Supported hugely by Anna Milner-Gulland, the widow of former Headmaster, Nick Milner-Gulland, we welcomed back over 100 OCs! Some donned their cricket whites for a friendly match, whilst others joined a school tour, exploring the changes since their school days.
Our second reunion saw the return our newest Old Cumnorians – the Class of 2023. It was wonderful to hear how they are all progressing at their respective senior schools and we hope to be able to connect younger OCs with those alumni further ahead in their education or careers for informal mentoring.
Sporting Achievements
On the cricket pitch, the senior boys and girls have been great role models. They have trained hard and played the game in the right spirit. Our first team boys made it to the county finals day, and they will be looking to finish the season strongly. Our girls’ first team has carried on the great success from previous years including qualifying for the indoor finals at Lord’s. This is testament to their hard work, commitment, and dedication to training, which has allowed them to perform exceptionally well under pressure. High levels of performance continued into the outdoor season, where they won the Sussex league and came third in the IAPS competition. The Colts teams have had a strong season. The competition for places has been fierce, and with the majority of the boys keen to play hardball cricket, the future is very bright. The Colts girls’ team has shown
lots of development, with some very much taking to the hardball version and some enjoying the challenges of playing pairs softball. Well done to all for representing the school so positively.
From Year 3 to 8, the athletics program continues to thrive. Students in the younger years get to experience the different disciplines within athletics in order to develop their running, jumping, and throwing. As they move through the year groups, training becomes more specific, allowing them to master individual techniques in readiness for competitions. We have attended regular athletics meets across the county where the boys and girls have performed extremely well, often picking up places or personal bests. Congratulations to Alex R and Freddie S for qualifying for the national competition in Birmingham.
Our tennis fixtures have been great opportunities to showcase skills; matches have been hard-fought and thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you to all of our children for their hard work this term and to everyone who has helped from our coaches to medical, grounds to catering. It has been a huge team effort!
Ollie Rogers DIRECTOR OF SPORT
A Spotlight On…….Trips
Summer Term sees us venture far and wide as our children deepen their subject understanding and explore their passions and interests. Here are just some of the highlights.
Year 4 had the incredible opportunity to attend a pre-dress rehearsal of 'The Merry Widow' at Glyndebourne on the invitation of opera sensation, Danielle De Niese. Following a run through of Act 1of the opera, complete with the singers, dancers, wigs, costumes, lighting and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the children enjoyed a stroll around the grounds of the opera house. A fascinating insight into the work that goes into putting on an opera production, this was a wonderful opportunity to hear some incredibly high-quality music performed live in an intimate setting.
Year 6 explored different and eccentric objects before designing their own ideas and pitching them to their peers at London’s Design Museum.
Year 4 also had an unforgettable day at the Olympic Park, starting with a fascinating tour of the various iconic venues, where they learned about their unique purposes and interesting facts. After the park tour, the children enjoyed lunch at the velodrome, where they watched and cheered on some racers. They participated in their own Mini-Olympics with a fun twist, showcasing their athletic abilities and team spirit. The day concluded with the children being presented with a trip medal, a cherished memento of their fantastic day filled with education, sports, and fun.
Year 7 headed to the Olympic Park and Hackey Wick for an opportunity to explore gentrification and green development before completing land use maps, sustainability surveys and questionnaires with members of the public.
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Year 7 also headed to France. We learnt how to make mayonnaise, bargained at the market in Compiègne, explored local history and enjoyed artisan ice cream. We returned exhausted, but with memories that will last a lifetime. The children’s enthusiasm and exuberance shone through the entire trip. What a great weekend!
Mrs O’Toole
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On est partis vers l’aventure!
A few days after the Easter break our bags were packed and we were ready to set off on our Year 5 trip to France. Enthusiastic singing accompanied us on the journey and we soon arrived at the Château ready for fun and adventure. No sooner had we arrived we whisked away for dinner followed by pétanque and some, rather competitive, volleyball!
The next morning we headed to the nearby town of Rue where our French guides talked us through the history of our Château and town itself. There was no time to rest as we then headed off to the lake for kayaking and sailing before the evening disco! On Sunday the children were set loose on the obstacle course followed by the afternoon at the snail farm where the children were left quite shocked, having been offered a glass of snail juice to wash down their escargot!
The children were amazing throughout. They were so keen to try out their French and launched themselves into every activity with buckets of enthusiasm. They were praised by all, including the chef, the animateurs and even the French Police at the ferry port! We were so proud of them from start to finish.
Mrs O’Toole HEAD OF MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Ski Trip Easter 2024
Following a Covid-enforced break, the Cumnor Ski Trip returned to Passo Tonale, Italy! With a range of ability including those those who never skied before to some expert youngsters, over 40 children and members of staff enjoyed a week of quality ski conditions and expert tuition as well as plenty of après ski activities.
Great fun was had by all with thanks to Mrs Harding, Mrs Whitehead, Mrs Brown, and Mr Park for running the trip.
Year 3
Well, what a wonderful year we’ve had in Year 3! Our children settled so quickly and with such maturity and optimism at the beginning of the year and have truly delighted us with their stamina, their love of learning and the immense kindness that they demonstrate on a daily basis.
A highlight of the Autumn Term was our Ancient Egypt Day where our children got the chance to dress up, mummify a teddy and see the topic being brought to life on stage by the brilliant Aesop’s Theatre Company.
Our first off-site trip occurred in the spring, which created huge excitement, when we headed to Kent Life for an actionpacked day of workshops, tractor rides and farmyard fun!
The Summer Term has afforded so many opportunities to take our learning outside and enjoy the wonderful grounds that we are so fortunate to inhabit. Our Year 3 gardening project has kept us busy during our Outdoor Education lessons and our Forest School Day (complete with a crafting carousel and making our own Cumnor Eton Mess to enjoy with lunch) was just so much fun!
Rolls HEAD OF YEAR 3
“ Our Year 3 team have been phenomenal. The pupils under their care have really thrived ”
Mr Llewellyn HEADMASTER
The Year 3 play, ‘The G.R.O.T.S’ presented a heartfelt environmental message, but with wit and humour; they had the audience laughing continuously.
Miss
This term has seen countless evenings filled with unforgettable performances and extraordinary moments. Back in April we were treated to the Year 8 Variety Show, performed first to the school and then, to a raucous audience of family and friends. The evening really was a smorgasbord of the performing arts and it was a joy to watch the younger pupils watch with awe and wonder on their faces as they quite literally watched their ‘heroes’ up on stage!
Year 4 kicked off the junior performing arts calendar with a whizzbanging, fizzpopping explosion of energy and talent! Showcasing their learning, and stage skills, they bounded onto the stage to celebrate the topsy turvy world of Roald Dahl. Parents were taken to a world of ‘pure imagination’ as they watched with beaming smiles. What a talented bunch!
Of course, the Summer Term is all about Shakespeare at Cumnor. Congratulations to Mrs Martin and the Year 8 crew for all of their hard work and commitment. ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ was an inspiring, enthusiastic and brave performance.
We were thrilled to have 112 pupils participate in the LAMDA Acting Examinations, ranging from Entry Level to Grade 5. Each student displayed remarkable enthusiasm, tenacity, creativity, and an abundance of eager smiles.
The term culminated in our LAMDA Showcase, featuring an array of group scenes, duologues, and monologues performed by our talented pupils. From the dramatic Wuthering Heights to the enchanting charm of Cinderella, it was an evening that celebrated the hard work and dedication of our students. Their performances were a testament to their growth and passion for acting, making it a truly memorable event for all.
“ I am so proud of the wonderful energy and commitment they have shown throughout the year. They fill my room with sunshine every week!
Mrs
Martin LAMDA TEACHER
Mrs Harris DIRECTOR OF DRAMA
LAMDA
Cumnor House Sussex London Road, Danehill, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 7HT
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